Tim Dower: This reinforces what we've all known about politicians

You know, what we've seen over the past couple of days reinforces what we've all known for a long time about politicians.

They will say anything, anything, to get into power. And once they're there, it gets even more desperate: they'll say and do anything, anything, to stay there.

We're about to see in raw detail just how desperate Labour is to cling on for a third term.

Heads, which should have rolled two years ago, will roll. Policies which should never have seen the light of day will be quietly shelved.

Please don't be fooled. The ideology hasn't changed. The desire to do those things hasn't changed. But the priority has.

The priority now is to win the election, by whatever means necessary, and by no matter how small a margin, anything to get back to business.

So rule nothing out. No deal is too grubby, no rat is too dead to swallow. Just get back in. That's the job Chippy's taken on.

Bear this in mind though, as John Key wrote in his book about being Prime Minister: “You can refresh your team and revitalise its performance, but the same issues can return and become bigger problems."

You can also —and this isn't John Key here, this is my view— you can also drop anything you know isn't a vote winner, and focus on telling people what they want to hear.

So. We've already heard it, over and over. “We're focussed on the things that matter to New Zealand families".

Behind closed doors? Sure Nanaia. Keep working away, but keep a low profile until we sneak back in.

And if you're asked? “We're working on the things that matter to New Zealand families".

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